Gymnema Sylvestre: Dosage. Interactions. Practice Points
Dosage Range The typical therapeutic dose of an extract, standardised to contain 24% gymnemic acids, is 400-600 mg/day. When used to regulate blood sugar, gymnema may best be administered in divided doses with meals. DIABETES • Liquid extract (1:1): 25-75 mL/weekor 3.6-11.0 mL/day. • 6-60 g/day of dried leaf infusion SWEET CRAVING AND REDUCING SWEET PERCEPTION • Liquid extract (1:1): 1-2 mL dropped onto the tongue and rinsed off — repeat every 2-3 hours as required. Adverse Reactions Theoretically, gastric irritation can occur, because of the saponin content. There are two case reports of hepatotoxicity resulting from the consumption of a weight-loss formula containing gymnema and other herbs, including Garcinia cambogia, willow bark, glucomannan, green tea and guarana. In one study, gymnema was found to have a toxic effect in mice, producing increased lipid peroxidation at doses of 26.8 mg/kg, but was safe and antiperoxidative at doses of 13.4 mg/kg. In another study it was concluded that there was no toxic effect in rats treated with gymnema at doses of more than 500 mg/kg for 52 weeks. Significant Interactions Controlled studies are not available; therefore, interactions are based on evidence Read more […]